12/9/14

he dawn ofthe Epigonoi era [1] (280-30 BC) has reservedafrightening
eventthatshockedGreece.A multitudinous horde of barbarian
Gauls has carried out a large scale raid are about to wholesale looting,
but and the long-term permanent establishment. It was an obvious threat to
Hellenism, who had to see before something similar from the invasion of the
Persians of Xerxes in 480 BC. Indeed, the historical circumstance was even more
difficult, as the Greeks were already following a downward path, completely opposite from the bloom of values ​​of the
Classical age.However, they
found the vigor and the bravery to confront the wild Gauls, in the
eminently defensive position of the Greeks, the Thermopylae.

General
situation-Firstcontactsbetween Greeks andGauls

A

lreadyfromthe4thBCcentury, thenorthernBalkanswerecolonizedbytheCelts, such asGreeks used to callthesepeople.It was a
multitudinous nation, actually a medley of tribesthat soon was
forced to seek new lands for settlement. Aspeoplethey werewarlike. Afirstcontactwiththemwasmade​​byAlexandertheGreatthroughdiplomacy.The Celts
fearing his power agreed for a peaceful adjacency, even for military collaboration if needed, as long as he was campaigning in Asia.Thusinitially
they raidedagainstIllyrianandThraciantribes(PausaniasCH.19.5) withoutyetriskinga
majorconflict with themore capable in combat,Greeks.But the death
of Alexander and the repeated conflicts that were plagued Greece in the
next years, dispelled this “wolf-friendship” (insincere friendship) and
sharpened the Celtic mood of raiding Greek lands.

Gaul leader

Gatheringhugeforcesofinfantryandcavalry, theCeltsweredividedintothreegroups.The first, led
by Cerethriuswill raided againsttheTriballi(in the territory of modernBulgaria),the second
group with leaders Brennus and Acichorius aimed the ancient Paionia (now
Skopje) and the third group with Bolgius would raid the Illyrians and
Macedonians. (Pausanias CH.19.7, Ioustinos. X.)

The mainlandGreecein that periodwassignificantlyweakened. The continuousconflictsof the Successorshad causedextensive materialcatastrophesand they weredepriving manycapablemen fromthedefenseof the motherlandthatdifficult time.The great leaders were missing, while
those who there were, they were absent for various reasons (Pyrrhus of Epirus was campaigning in Italy and
Antigonus Gonatas was trying to recover the Macedonian throne). The kingof MacedonPtolemyKeraunoswould tryfirst to checkthegallicexpansion.

Conflict with the Macedonian Kingdom

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pproachingMacedoniafromthewest, Bolgius already hadspread theterror.Ptolemy, who
snootily and arrogantly rejected the proposed help of Dardanians and Bolgius's requirement to pay tax to avoid attack, prepared his army.Despitetheincitementsofhis generals, he marcheddirectlyagainst the invaderswith insufficient forces.In the fierce battle which followed[2] Ptolemy charged the Gauls, but he suffered many injuries,
while the elephant who was riding collapsed to the ground, dragging him in
the fall. The Gauls arrested him still alive, beheaded him and rambled his head, nailed to a spear. On this sight, the Macedonian
army scattered and those who avoided death were captured. (Ioustinos. CCT)

Theabsolutechaos dispersed in Macedonia aswellastheraiderssluiced out undisturbedlootingthecountryside.Only the
walled cities avoided destruction, as well as the barbarians had any knowledge of battering art.Meleagros,
Ptolemy's brother, came to the throne but was deposed after two months, either
account of incapacity, either because of his relationship with the pernicious
Ptolemy. The kingship was assigned to Antipater, but nor he managed to reverse
the situation.Ultimately, a
nobleman named Sosthenes rallied the Macedonians, gathered forces and began the
fight against the invaders. His determination buckled the Galatians, who in any
case gathered enough spoils, they evacuated Macedonia. (Ioust. CCTVorts. D.V.7, Paus. CH.19.7)

TherichbootythatVolgiosavailed, didn'tleavetheotherchief, Vrennos, unimpressed.Hethenmanaged toassociate AkichoriusandotherGallicchieftains,claimingthatthe richesof Greecearefabulousand thatthe Greeks aredebilitatedand vulnerable.Thus, he gathered a huge horde, which
the ancient authors estimate at over[3] 200
thousand, without the civilian population that was following.

The barbarian
hordes were launched early in the spring of 278 BC.A portion of
20.000 men under Leonnorio and Loutario was detached and headed for the land of Dardanians,
while the others continued to Macedonia.The Sosthenes resisted again and it
seems that finally compelled the Galatians to seek new lands. The Vrennos then
decided to move to Delphi, having heard a lot
about their riches. So the terrible Celts descended on Thessaly
without major losses. (Vortselas, D.V.7)

Concentration of
Greek army - Arrival of the Galatians

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hentheyheardthisnews, theheartsoftheGreekswerefilledoffear, butalsoanddetermination. Already they
knew about the ills that were suffered the Macedonians, Thracians, Peonians,
and so many others from the wild raiders. Furthermore were reaching other news
for atrocities against Thessalians. Faced with theriskof annihilationstepped
aside temporarily their differences andrallied. Pausanias(CH.19.12) describescharacteristicallythat“so there was acommonmood,in the citiesandin eachmanseparately,
orto defeator
perish”.

Theancientcoastlineof theGulfMaliakos

As anideallocation foraddressing of numerous Celtic
hordeswas deemedthe
narrowof Thermopylae.From the time of Medes, this narrowed
passage was enlarged due to silting of the river Sperchios. Nevertheless he
still had low amplitude[4] and was
offered for defensive struggle. The Greek forces
gathered at this point. TheBoeotianssent10.000hoplitesand 500cavalrymenwithleadersKephisodotos, Thearidas, DiogenesandLyssandros, thePhocians3.000pedestriansand 500cavalrymenunderKritoboulosandAntiochus, theLocrians-oppositeoftheislandAtalanti– they sent700menunderMeidias, andtheMegarians400hoplitesundertheleadershipofHipponicus. Thedynamicpresent they statedthe Aetolianswith morethan 7.000hoplites, 790light infantryandwithunspecified number ofcavalry, with thegeneralsPolyarchy, PolyfronasandLakratis.The
Athenians, to whom they commissioned the captaincy - as a result of historical
glory and prestige - have provided 1.000 pedestrians, 500 cavalrymen and all
the combative triremes, with quarterback Kallipos, son of Moirokles. Finally,
the king of Macedonia, Antigonus Gonatas[5] assisted
with a body of 500 mercenaries under Aristodemos, while the Seleucid king of
Syria Antiochus I also sent 500 men that had Telesarchos as a chief(PausaniasCH.20.3-5). The Peloponnesiansthey thought of
shortsightedandremaineduninvolved,were
fortifiedbehind the wallsof the Isthmus
of Corinth, basedon
the factthatthe Galatiansdid not havenavy.

When the
Greeks were informed that the Galatians had arrived in Magnesia and Fthiotis,
they sent all their cavalry and a snippet 1000 light armed to prevent them to
pass the river Sperchius.This forcedestroyedthe bridges over theriverandencampednear thebanks of theriver.ButVrennos, althoughbarbarous, wasanexperienced in warandresourcefulstrategically.Thus,
reaching to Spercheus
River, he resorted to the
following trick to relieved of the Greek force opposite. Heformedanexcerptof 10.000 men, thetallestmeninhisarmy, whowereallgoodswimmers.Thispowersenttocrosstheriverneartohisestuaries, whereitwidensmoretoformswampyareas, awayfromthedamagedbridges. The Galatians
passedfrom that point onsilently,usingthe greatGallicshieldsasrafts,
while thetallermen crossed thestanding waterwalking.TheGreekforce, justbecame
aware ofthis movement, he leftandwas joinedagain withtherest of the armyat
Thermopylae. (Pausanias, X, 20, 6-8)

Conflicts at Thermopylae

V

rennos unhindered now he obliged the
residents of the wider area to rebuild the bridges. They obeyed without delay,
as well as they feared and additionally they wanted to rid from the blood
thirsty barbarians who ravaged their land. Passing theSpercheusthe Celtsthey moved toHeraclea[6], setting fire, by plundering and by killingthose whothey were foundin the fields.Butthey notattemptedto attackagainst
the city, whichhada strong walland a resolute garrisonfrom
locals andAitolians.Fromdefectorswere informedthatthe mainarmy of theGreekswas located at Thermopylae. So,Vrennos,strategicallythinking, he left Heracleaand
he moved for conquest
of the Straits. (PausaniasCH.20.9, VortselasD.V.7)

Celtshorsemen

The next daywhen thesun rose, the Gaulleadersure of himself [7], he ordered the
attack.The savagesCeltscharged downwith
furyandexcesscourage, without maintaininganyconsistencyintheir array. As warriors were terrible, most of them were tall,
while Pausanias reports that they not were losing their momentum and their
irrational fury, or when they were accepting many bad traumas from swords and
hatchets.If they had
been knocked by arrows or javelins, were pulling out from the open their wounds
and they were throwing against the Greeks or they were holding and they were
using them, as long as they were still alive.Unlike the Greeks were slightly armored. Most were fighting naked while
their shields, though larger, was not as resistant as in Greeks.The Greeks were waiting silent and
were lined up with class, which they maintained throughout the duration of the
battle.Behind the
line of phalanxofthe hopliteswere locatedspearmen, archersandslingshots-men
thatconstantlywere contestingagainstthe enemies.Thecavalryof bothsidesdid not
takepart in the battle, not only
because ofnarrowness of space, but
also because theground isrocky, whilethecreeksand the torrentsmake itslipperyat many points.Amidst alltheseregularlydisadvantagesof the
Galatianswas addedandthat the Athenianshipsapproachedthepointofcollision, sailinginmuddywaters,
something verybold anddangerous.From therecase
affectedthe enemies witharchers andanyother
weapons they had.

Thesituation hadbecomequiteunfavorable forthe Galatians,
as they wascrammedintoa narrow spaceand they could notfighteffectively, and hadbeenthree timesandfour
times morelossesthanthose who they hadcaused.Their leadersgave the signalof retreat. The orderwas executedincompleteconfusionand disorder, with manyotherare trampledandlostinmuddyswamps, significantly increasing the losses.(Pausanias, X, 21,1-4)

Onthatday, theAtheniansshowedthegreatestbraveryfromtheGreeks. Particularlywas
distinguishedthe youngAthenianKydias, whofor the first timetookpart ina battle, whichwas destined to behis last, as well ashe was killed. After the end ofbattle, theHellenesthey buriedtheir deadandskyleysan[8]thecorpsesof enemies.In contrast, the Galatians they did not send
even a herald to ask for permission to bury their dead, being indifferent ifremainunburiedorif
they becomefood foranimals thateatcorpses.Pausaniasconsidersthatthe Galatiansin this waythey want tointimidatetheir enemiesandthatthey do not
feelpity forthe dead. The
Greek losses in the battle testified in 40 men, while the Galatians were not
identified exactly as well as many men were lost in the mire. (Pausanias CH, 21, 4-6)

Seven days
later, a Galatian force has attempted to go up on the mountain Oiti, from a
narrow path that was in the surrounding area. The aim was to outflank the
positions of the Greeks, and to plunder the temple
of Athena, which was located in the
mountain above Heraclea
and which was rich in votive offerings.The safekeeping of the passage was assigned to Phocians and to the soldiers
of Telesarchos. In the conflict that was followed the Galatians were
intercepted, at the cost of the life of Telesarchos, who he was characterized
as “a man with the greater willingness than anyone else, for the defense of the
Greeks”.

Anti-distractionofGalatians-
Destructionof Kallion

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hile the remaining Celts leaders
watched amazed the situation who had reached an impasse, Vrennos was thinking
how could distract the Aetolians from the Greek array.He knewthat-from the Greeks-were the mostmilitantworthy and their withdrawalwould weakensignificantlythe defenseof Thermopylae.So, he formed a force of 40.000 pedestrians and about 800 horsemen with
chiefs Orestorio and Komvouti, entrusting them to intrude on Aetolia
(Pausanias CH, 22, 2).This excerpt
passed again Spercheus River northwards, so that the Greeks at Thermopylae to not perceive their true direction.Proceeding to
Ypati, they turned south and after a few days march they arrived to Kallion[9].

Η Αιτωλία καθισμένη
σε γαλατικές

ασπίδες(νόμισμα
Αιτωλών)

The ancientKallion(orKallipolis) was an importantAetoliancity.It was built
next to Velouchovo[10], a newest
village, in a short distance northwest of Lidoriki. There was center Aetolic
tribe of Ofioneon (or Ofieon) and the 4th BC century was a member of the
Aetolian League.He had
significant strategic importance because was located in the passage of the
valley upper Dafnos and in the passage of the “Narrow”, in the only direct road
from the valley of the river Sperchios in the interior of Aetolia.Todaythe waters
of the artificiallake in
the riverMornoscovertheareawhere it wasbuilt theancientcity.An exception
is the site of the ancient acropolis located in the same position with the
so-called “castle
of Velouchovo” just on
the hill, next to the passage of the “Narrow”.

ThefuriousGalatiansattackedunexpectedlyintheKallionand they committedhorrificcrimes.Pausaniasdescribesinaneloquentmanner:«… they
slaughtered every male humans, and the elders and the infants still breastfed,
while those infants who had been done thicker with milk, the Galatians killed
them, drank their blood and ate the meat. Thewomen...rushedo kill
themselves,
asthetownwasconquered. Thosefoundthemalive, theyhavebroughtinanykindofdebasementusingunusualviolence.Those women who they could
find the swords of the Galatians commit suicide with them, the others not long
in finding the fatal from starvation and insomnia, why the lewd barbarians they
did bad acts continuously, the one after another, and theycopulating with women who were dieing and
with those women who they were already dead”. (CH, 22, 3-4)

It is not
excluded, the
incidences of cannibalismto
beconsequenceof the
difficult-nutritional-situation in which theinvadershadcome.JohnVortselascitesthat “thearound(of Thermopylae) countryhadbeen ravaged deft...”, while the abhorrentbehaviorshowsa
tacticalexpediency, sincethe mainobjective of Vrennoswas reached.TheAetolianswho wereat Thermopylae,
whenwere informedthe factbymessengersthey departedimmediatelythirstyfor revengeand determined tosavetheir othercities.Backin Aetolia,menwhowere infighting age were enlisted, while theold mentook up arms, as well asthe feverof the preparationsandtheseriousness
of the situationdrifted them away.In the
preparation they took parteven women
since their desire for revenge was bigger than of men. (Pausanias CH.22.5-6)

The Return of
the Aetolians - Revenge in «Kokkalia»

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heexcerptofOrestoriosandKomvoutiransackedthehousesofKallionandby delivering
the city in flames, tookthewaybackfollowingthesameroute.Force Achaean
hoplites from Patras[11], who
eventually wins the Galatians on their leaving and rushed to collide with them.But it sufferedenoughlosses due to themilitancyof the Celtsandbecause of their significantnumericaldisadvantage, andby the lackof the mainarmyof the Aetolians.Howeverthey-as it seems-lost notime andquicklyby returning
they occupied somestrategicpassages.(PausaniasCH.22.6, Vortselas D.V.7)

Monument in "Kokkalia"

The outraged
Aetolians, with continuous attacks, were launched immediately to harass the
invaders. Were placed in inaccessible places along the route that the invaders
were following. From there they were throwing spears, arrows and stones with
great accuracy due of the great number and the inadequate shielding of the
enemies.When the
Galatians persecuting them, then were fleeing, and were returning once the
stalking was stopping. The excerpt of Celts seems that forced to make long
detours to find a safer passageway to the valley of river Sperchios.Moving on,they
arrivedinlocation,what is knowntoday as “Kokkalia”. This pointis located in the yokethat joinsthe mountain Oxia
(Beech) withthe mountain Tymfristos (or Veloychi), northeastof the villageKrikello.According to
tradition, many Galatians were killed[12] there, so a
few years later the land was white from their bones. It is said that up to
nowadays the agricultural work reveal bones, metal helmets and weaponry.At this point
there is a monument of the battle with an inscription. “Kokkalia” was the
informal revenge for the destruction of Kallion, while from the initial body of
40.000 men fewer than half was returned to Thermopylae.
(Pausanias CH.22.7)

Ephialtes
relives - Disengagement of the Greeks, march of Galatians to Delphi

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evertheless the main army of Celts
has remained before Thermopylae. From the
stagnant situation, the way out for Vrennos they showed the ... residents of Heraclea and Ainianes.
They undertook to drive him to the backs of Greeks following the path Anopaia,
just as had done Ephialtes in the years of the Medes.Probably, they made like that, not
from anti-Greek mood, but to get rid from the barbarians who were desolating
their land. Vrennos overjoyed he left his position in Akichorio, with explicit
orders to attack when they will encircle the Greeks. He also created a body of
40.000 men, selected by him, with whom he will go up on Anopaia path. That day
in Oeti was prevailing dense fog which was hiding even the sun, significantly
reducing the visibility of Phocians, who were guarding the path. Those, did not
realize the Galatians, only when were approached enough. In the onslaught of
barbarians who was followed the Phocians defended bravely, but eventually they
were forced to retreat. Butthey took careto informthe Greeksat Thermopylaefor this development, beforetheexcerptofVrennosencircle them. Thenthe Athenianswiththeirtriremesrushedtogleanthe Greeks,before beingtrapped. SotheGreekarmy was disbandedand everyonewentfordefense of his motherland. (PausaniasCH.22.8-12)

ConqueringwiththiswaytheStraitsofThermopylae, VrennoswasinitiatedimmediatelytoDelphi, withoutevenwaitingAkichorio.The secondleft apartof the armyto guard thecampin Heracleaandwas launchedtoforestallVrennos.Whenthey heard
abouttheonward march of the Celts,
the inhabitantsof Delphi were terrified and they took
refuge to the oracle.Fordefenseof Delphiwere quickPhociansfromall
cities, 400soldiersLocriansfrom Amphissa, while fromthe Aetoliansinitiallythey camefew,but laterarrived
a force1.200menunderPhilomilos.The main and best forces of the Aetolians conducted sabotage match, by
making frequent attacks against the rearguard and luggage of Akichorios (Pausanias CH.22.13).Consequently, hewas obliged toprogressingvery slowly, a fact which
haddecisive consequencessubsequently.

VrennosreachingwithhispoweratDelphiwasproposedtoofficersandsoldierstoencampafewdaysintheplain, asthecoursewastedious.The Heads
Emanos and Thessaloros were in favor of direct attack, not to give time to the
Greeks to organize. But the soldiers had dissipated in the outdoors and they
plundered the abandoned villages and fields by finding many foods. By
circumventing any sense of discipline the soldiers wandering drunk and they
refused to obey to the injunctions of superiors. This evolution gave precious
time to the Greeks in order to better organize and gather more forces. (Ioust. XXIV)

Defeat of the
Galatians at Delphi - Catastrophic retreat

T

he next day, Vrennos spoke to his
soldiers[13] before it
can order the attack. He showed them the golden statues and magnificent
buildings of Delphi and he urged them to rush
acquire them, by arousing professed their predatory mood.Then, the
barbarians influenced by the intoxication of the previous day still, attacked
massively, without coordinated manner, but with tremendous momentum.The Greeks were opposed defense with
valence, repulsing and killing those who they attempted to climb to the
mountain top, but was subsisting themselves enough losses (Ioust. CCT).The ancient sourcesquoteintense andthe mythologicalelementas well as-asit is said-there wasand“divine intervention”withearthquakes, lightning andthunderbolts, and there are reports for appearance of supernatural beings like of
heroes Yperochos, Laodokos, Pyrrhus and Fylakos. FromthosePhocians who fell, Aleximachos was distinguished particularly. (Pausanias CH.23.1-3)

Dieing Gaul (Capitolion Museum, Rome)

With the
advent of night bitter cold was prevailed in the area. Was noted snow scurry
and hail in the midst of summer, while huge rocks which were detaching from Mount Parnassus
and by scrolling were crushed many enemies together. By the sunrise the Greeks
were attacked, excluding Phocians, who knowing the area well, they followed
some craggy passages and were found in the back of the Celts, by hitting them
fearlessly with arrows and javelins.Initially they resisted bravely, especially the bodyguards
of Vrennos, which were consisted from tall and full-bodied men.However, were accepting blows on all
sides and soon they were found in a bad position. Sometime Vrennos was injured
and unconscious he was transferred out of combat, a fact which broke the morale
of the Galatians.So, they
began to withdraw from the area by killing the injured and generally those who
were powerless to follow and they encamped every time there who it found them
the sunset. (Pausanias CH.23.4-6)

Thedarknessthatfellhasreservedtheterrorandhavoconthepersecutedmostinvaders.Somesoldierswere occupiedbyparanoiaandpanicky
and they claimed that theywere
listeningclatterof cavalryandonslaught of enemies.
Theconfusionwas broadcastedrapidlythroughouttheGaulish camp. Within chaos the men had taken up
arms and they began to kill each other in the dark. Incapable to recognize who
was their adjacent, nor from weapons, nor by the voice actually they believed
that the Greeks attacked.The local
residents, who were guarding their animals in the surrounding fields, they
reported the fact to the Greeks. So then, the Phocians armed with courage were
conducting most daring attacks.Were guarding better their
settlements and were resisting strongly, when the Galatians were attempting
invasions in search of food and other necessary. Soon there was a lack of food
in the hostile army.The total
losses in the campaign in Phocis were estimated
to 6.000 from the battles, 10.000 from the nighttime confusion and also 10.000
from hunger and cold. (Pausanias
CH.23.7-10)

The Athenians
when were informed by their envoys, the developments and the plight that
occurred to the invaders, they sent army to assist in the persecution.
TraversingBoeotiawasjoinedwiththeBoeotianforces.ByfollowingtheGalatiansretreating, weresettingupambushesinnarrowpassagesandwereattackingintheirrearguard, killingthose whotheyweredelaying.The other one GalatianleaderAkichorios succeededto unite his powerwiththat ofVrennosin an
attemptto coverhis retreat.Admitting most ceaselessly attacks by
the Aetolians and with terrible losses they arrived at camp of Heraclea.Vrennos injured seriously and fearing the rage and the shame of his
compatriots for their calamities that them swept away, killed himself with his
sword, after he got drunk with unmixed wine. (Pausanias CH.23.12, Diod.22.9)

Epilogue

C

oncludingthenarrativeofthisdramaticstory, tomentionthattheGalatians-on their leaving-attemptedtocrosstheriverSpercheus.But were faced Malieis and
Thessalians who were pooled, who were thirsting for revenge and brought about
another heavy blow (Pausanias CH.23.14). Most ancient sources testify that
nobody enemy did not survive, though that is probably not true.It is important that the Greeks were made a real feat comparable to that
against the Medes, and even under very clearly more difficult conditions.Youbold
enough tosaythatthe victoriousoutcomeof
this warisafurther proofthat the Greeksthrivein thedifficulties.

With regard
to the Galatians, they let indelible their stigma in the land of Central Greece
with their own bones in the homonymous locality. The air of Mount Tymfristos
carries even snippets of the terrifying screams, a true nemesis from those who
massacred in Kallion.

GeorgeK. Balomenos

SOURCES

Pausanias: “Periegesis in Greece”Ekdotiki of Athens, 1981.

Vortselas :“FTHIOTIS”, editionsKASTALIA, 1973.

Ioustinos: “Book Called Historical”,Anemi,
DigitalLibrary of Modern GreekStudies.

[4]The ancient coastline is calculated on approximately
the height the Old National Road Athens-Lamia.

[5]Antigonus came into conflict with
Sosthenes, but was defeated and eventually ascended to the throne after the
death of Sosthenes, two years later. (http://el.wikipedia.org/
Lemma: Sosthenesof Macedonia